Copyholder



Aug. 21, 1934. H. 1. RICHARDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I v gmra IQh/yZEhMd HQH V H. l. RICHARDS COPYHOLDER Filed May 17, 1952 Aug. 21, 1934.

Aug. 21, 1934- H. RICHARDS COPYHOLDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 17, 1932 Aug. 21, 1934. H. I. RICHARDS COPYHOLDER Filed May 17,v 19:52 4 Sheets- Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 21, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC This invention relates to a copy-holder and more particularly to a device for handling typewritten or tabulated data in such a manner that the typewritten or tabulated data may beeasily,

quickly and expeditiously transcribed on a typewriter or computing machine.

An object of the invention is to construct a device of the character described whereby the transcribing operator can readily progress the data to be transcribed in such a manner that the copy sheet is visibly progressed from top to bottom. I

A further object of the invention is to construct a copy-holder in which the copy sheets are easily l5 and accurately positioned and one in which the operating mechanism is of great simplicity for retaining the copy, progressively exposing the copy sheets, and one from which the sheets may be quickly withdrawn and the device repositioned.

In the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the copy-holder set up in close proximity to a conventional calculating machine. 7

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the copy-holder.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3 to illustrate details of the construction.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the copy-holder showing the operating means.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5 illustrating details of the operating mechanism.

Figs. '1' and 8 illustrate details of the paper clamping mechanism, Fig. 8 being a sectional view of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a cross-section taken through the pivot on line 9--9 of Fig. 5.

Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate a modified form of operation; Fig. 10 being a side elevation, while Fig. 11 is a front plan view.

By referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that my copy-holder comprises an elongated cylinder 1 journalled in vertical uprights 2 mounted upon a base member 3. It is customary to mount the copy-holder on a desk or work table adjacent to a calculating or typewriting machine 4 so that the copy sheets retained on the cylinder 1 are in excellent visible position to the operator of the machine 4. The height of the supports 2 will, of course, vary in length depending on the size and type of the particular machine on which the operator is working. That is, a greater height 55 would be necessary to elevate the cylinder 1 above the platen of a typewriter over the height used in connection with calculating machines of which Fig. 1 is a more conventional showing.

The cylinder 1 consists of a sheet metal tube supported by circular end pieces 5 mounted on square shaft 6 which extends beyond the end pieces 5 and abuts the vertical supports 2. In the extreme outer ends of square axle 6 are mounted filler blocks 7 through which the rod 8 passes. The outer ends of the rod 8 are reduced in diameter and are journalled at 9 in the vertical supports 2 and upon this rod 8 the cylinder is'rotated.

By referring to Fig. 4, the details of the above construction are clearly illustrated. It will also be seenthat mounted on one end of the square shaft 6, and lying between the vertical supports 2 and the end pieces of the cylinder 5, is the spiral gear 10. Directly below the gear 10 and pivotally supported through the vertical support is the worm gear 11 mounted for rotation on the operating rod 12 which extends outwardly and downwardly to the side of the transcribing machine, termin ating in a star wheel or operating handle 13.

As illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 9, it will be noted-that the worm gear operating shaft 12 is supported in the tubular bracket 14 which is pivotally mounted and passes through the vertical support 2. The pivot portion of the bracket isretained in position by means of the plate 15 and screw 16 Thisconstruction permits the rotation of the cylinder 1 by clock-wise movement of the operating handle 13 through the meshing of the worm gear 11 and. spiral gear 10 which, as before mentioned, is mounted on the squared shaftfi. Continued clock-wise movement of the handle rotates the cylinder 1 a complete revolution. Further rotation of the cylinder is prevented by means of the pin 17 which is inserted in the opposite end of the squared shaft 6. One completerevolution of the cylinder brings the pin ;l7 intoeng'agement with the stop pin 18 screwed intothe vertical support 2. When a complete revolution of the cylinder has taken place and the stop mechanism described prevents further rotation, the operator raises the pivoted handle l3 to disengage the gear mechanism to permit retrograde movement of the cylinder to is original position. This is accomplished by having tension springs 19 attached to the fixed axle 8 and to the rotatable filler blocks '7 so that tension is built up by clock-wise movement' of the cylinder and upon disengagement of the gearing this spring tension rotates the cylinder in a counter-clock-wise direction.

As seen in Figs. 1, 3 and 5, a right angle offset portion 20 is formed on the vertical supports 2. Pivotally positioned between the oif-set portions 20 is the shaft 21 carrying a sheet metal apron 22. in operation, the apron 22 rests against the data sheet which is in position about the periphery of the cylinder 1. Across the upper free edge of the apron 22 is a sight device consisting of a wire 23 on which are threaded a number of beads or short lengths of tubing 24. versely to correspond to a vertical column of figures, etc, on the data sheet to enable the operator to more readily follow the column. Positioned interiorly of the cylinder 1 and adjacent the periphery at its upper portion is'a transverse shaft 25. This shaft 25 extends beyond the ends of the cylinder and a winged handle 26 is fastened at each end. I

. It will be noted from Fig. 3that the periphery of the cylinder 1 consists of a sheet of metal 27 which abuts the end pieces 5v throughout most of their circumference. However, at the upper portion of the cylinder, the metal exterior 27 is sprung outwardly and its free end 28 overlaps its fixed edge 29 of the sheet 27. The free end 28 of the cylinder is bent backupon itself and the end turned at right angles to the horizontal plane thereof. This depending angle portion is denoted by numeral 30 and it is preferable to have it abut the fixed edge 29 of thecylinder so that when a sheet of copy is inserted between the free edge 28 and the fixed edge 29, it acts as a stop to accurately position a copy sheet along its upper edge.

Because of its inherent resiliency and for the reason that it is sprung outwardly, the free edge 28 normally binds against the periphery of the cylinder to act as a clamp to retain the copy sheet in position. By moving the handles 26, as shown indotted lines in Fig. 2, the cam member 31 carried on the transverse shaft 25 is moved outwardly to relieve the resilient clamp ing action of the free edge 28 so that copy sheets are easily inserted thereunder. The position assumed upon operationof the handles 26 is also shown in Fig. 3. v 1

Positioned adjacentto the periphery of thecylinder below the apron 22 is a curved baffie or guide 32. This bafile extends across the face of the cyl-j inder and is retained in position between vertical uprights 2. The purpose of this'bafile or guide is to prevent the copy sheets from falling below the periphery of thecylinder when the sheets are being moved around the'face of the cylinder.

In'practice, the operator of the machine raises the handle member 13 to disengage the gearing and to insure that the copy-holder is in position to receive data sheets'and to permit the spring 19 to return the paper clamp 28 to its vertical position. The apron 22 is raised and the copysheets are inserted between the periphery ofthecyl: inder and guide 32. The upper edges of the copy sheets are then inserted between freeedge 28 and fixed edge 29 of thecylinder, this being accomplished by operating the handle 26 to move the cam outwardly and force the free edge 28 away from the periphery of the cylinder, after which the upper edges of the sheet are inserted and the handle 26 again operated to permit the edge 28 to assume its normal position,

ter this is done, the operator adjusts the beads 24 to correspondto the columns offigures,

These sight devices may be moved transetc., on the copy sheet and commences the operation of the transcribing machine. When it is desired to move the data sheet, the handle 13 is rotated and thus the cylinder is moved in a counter-clock-wise direction, and further data on the sheet presented to View.

After the cylinder has turned its full revolution, and the pin 17 on the shaft of the cylinder abuts the stop pin 18 or the bottom of a short data sheet has been reached, it is merely necessary for the operator to again raise the handle 13 and the spring 19, in which energy has been stored up, moves the cylinder in a clock-wise direction and allows the cylinder to rotate until the pin 17 abuts the stop pin 18 on the opposite side.

. It will be appreciated that a manuscript of a number of pages can be inserted in the copyholder and upon each operation of the cylinder the top page can be folded back and the second data sheet progressively exposed.

To facilitate the use of the copy-holderwhen it is positioned on a desk at which the operator is sitting, it is desirable to provide means for stepping the cylinder around without requiring the operator to use his hands. A modified operat: ing means for this purpose is disclosed in Figs; 10 and 11 in which the ratchet wheel 100 is substituted for the hand wheel 13 on the shaft 12. Pivotally attached to the end of shaft 12, which, of course, would be elongated so that it would extend beyond and below the edge of'the operators desk or table, is a lever 101 adapted to be pushed to the left by the operators knee. This movement permits a tooth 103, pivotedto the up-. per end of member 101 by, pin 102, to. engage ratchet teeth 104iormed on the outer periphery ofv wheel 1,00 and to rotate the same clock-wise. When the operator relieves. the. pressure ofhis knee from lever 101, the weighted portion105- integrally formed below the pivotal point swings. the whole assembly so that the tooth 103 engages the next rearward tooth 104 on the wheel 100. Consequently, the operator can use both hands on the typewriter or calculatingmachine and easilyand efficiently operate the copy-holder to expose succeeding data on the copy. sheet.

What I claim is:

1.1 A copy-holder includingside frames, acylinder mounted for rotation therebetween, and amanually operated makeand break connection pivotally attached to one of said side frames for rotating saidcylinder.

2. A copy-holder. including for supporting copy sheets, an axle for said cylinderrmounted for rotation inside frames, a gear carried by said axle, a worm pivoted tonne of said side frames to selectively engage said gear and manual means for operating said worm when in engagement to rotate said gear and cylinder.

3. A copy-holder including vertical side frames,

an axle carrying a'cylinder mounted therebetween, a worm pivotally supported on one of saidside frames adapted to impart rotation in one direction to. said axle and cylinder, a stop pin on said side frame limiting the rotation of said axle, said worm being disengageable from said gear when further rotation thereof is prevented by the stop pin. v

4. A copy-holder including an axle mounted between vertical side frames, a rotatable cylinder carried by said axle, a drive gear afiixed to said axle, a worm gear pivoted to said side frame and adapted to normally mesh with said drive gear, an elongated shaft for saidworm gear having a m a b s .h f affixed to on and $1 3 99??- a rotatable cylinder impart rotation to the worm, and to disengage said worm from the drive gear when said handle is elevated.

5. A copy-holder having side frames between which a copy-holding cylinder is rotatably mounted, means to impart movement to said cylinder including a drive gear and worm, the periphery of the cylinder being transversely split and overlapping along one section thereof, and cams for elevating the overlapping section away from the underlapping section for the insertion of copy sheets therebetween.

6. In a device of the characted described, a hollow sheet metal cylinder mounted for rotation between vertical side frames, manually operated gear and worm mechanism for imparting rotation to said cylinder, the metal sheet of the hollow cylinder being transversely split, one edge of the cylindrical sheet being fixed while the opposite end is free and. overlaps the fixed edge forming a paper-holding clamp.

7. In a copy-holder, a hollow cylinder, an axle on which said cylinder rotates, mechanism for progressively driving said cylinder in one direction and a torsion spring for rotating said cylinder in the opposite direction, the hollow cylinder being transversely divided with one divided edge aflixed to the ends of the cylinder while the other edge lies free and overlaps the fixed edge, cams mounted interiorly of the cylinder with means exterior thereof for operating said cams to flex the overlapping edge out of engagement with the fixed edge.

8. A copy-holder including an axle, a rotatable data-carrying cylinder mounted thereon, a spring afiixed to said axle and to said cylinder, make and break means for rotating the cylinder against the tension of the said spring in one direction and returning the cylinder to its original position by the spring tension upon interruption of the make and break means.

9. In a copy-holder, a rotatable copy-carrying cylinder, a spring, a manually operated selective drive gear adapted to rotate said cylinder against the tension of said spring, and the tension developed in said spring returning the cylinder to its original position when the drive gearing is thrown out of engagement with said cylinder.

10. A copy-holder including an axle mounted between vertical side frames, a rotatable cylinder carried by said axle, means to impart movement to said cylinder, forwardly extending offset portions integrally formed on the side frames adjacent the cylinder, and a fiat substantially horizontal hand rest pivoted thereto and having its free edge normally lying adjacent the periphery of the cylinder, the pivotal point thereof being in the same horizontal plane as the said axle.

11. A copy-holder including a rotatable cylinder pivotally carried between vertical side frames, integral apical offset portions extending outwardly from the side frames opposite the cylinder, the apices of said offsets being in the same horizontal plane as said pivotal point of said axle, a rod connecting said apical points, and a pivoted hand rest attached thereto and normally lying adjacent the periphery of the cylinder.

HENRY I. RICHARDS. 

